The present invention discloses an event detection method for waking up a portable electronic device and an action sensor using same. The event detection method includes the steps of: under a normal operation mode, sensing action events by the action sensor with a first data sensing frequency, wherein the action sensor operates by a normal current to detect the action events; entering into a sleep mode; under the sleep mode, detecting a wake-up event by the action sensor with a second data sensing frequency, wherein the action sensor operates by a weak current to detect the wake-up event, wherein the weak current is smaller than the normal current, and the second data sensing frequency is not higher than the first data sensing frequency; and returning to the normal operation mode when the wake-up event is detected.
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1. An event detection method for waking up a portable electronic device having an action sensor, comprising the steps of: under a normal operation mode, sensing action events by the action sensor with a first data sensing frequency, wherein the action sensor operates by a normal current to detect the action events; entering into a sleep mode wherein at least one component of the portable electronic device is not fully functioning to reduce power consumption; under the sleep mode, detecting a wake-up event by the action sensor with a second data sensing frequency, wherein the action sensor operates by a weak current to detect the wake-up event, wherein the weak current is smaller than the normal current, and the second data sensing frequency is not higher than the first data sensing frequency; wherein the action sensor is a capacitive sensor sensing the action events and detecting the wake-up event according to a change of capacitance, wherein a sensitivity of the capacitive sensor is related to an operation current of the capacitive sensor, and when the capacitive sensor operates by the weak current, the sensitivity of the capacitive sensor is lower than the sensitivity when the capacitive sensor operates by the normal current; and returning to the normal operation mode when the wake-up event is detected.
A portable electronic device wakes up using an action sensor through the following steps: In normal operation, the action sensor detects events at a fast rate (first data sensing frequency) using a normal amount of power (normal current). The device enters a low-power sleep mode where some components are not fully functioning. In sleep mode, the action sensor continues to watch for a wake-up event at a slower rate (second data sensing frequency, slower or same as the first) using very little power (weak current, less than normal). The action sensor is a capacitive sensor that detects actions/wake-up events by sensing capacitance changes. The sensor's sensitivity decreases in low-power mode. Upon detecting a wake-up event, the device returns to normal operation.
2. The event detection method of claim 1 , wherein the weak current is greater than zero and smaller than or equal to 50% of the normal current.
The event detection method where a portable electronic device wakes up using an action sensor includes: In normal operation, the action sensor detects events at a fast rate (first data sensing frequency) using a normal amount of power (normal current). The device enters a low-power sleep mode where some components are not fully functioning. In sleep mode, the action sensor watches for a wake-up event at a slower rate (second data sensing frequency, slower or same as the first) using very little power (weak current, less than normal). Upon detecting a wake-up event, the device returns to normal operation. Specifically, the weak current used in sleep mode is greater than zero, but no more than 50% of the normal current used in normal operation.
3. The event detection method of claim 2 , wherein the weak current is 20%˜40% of the normal current.
The event detection method where a portable electronic device wakes up using an action sensor includes: In normal operation, the action sensor detects events at a fast rate (first data sensing frequency) using a normal amount of power (normal current). The device enters a low-power sleep mode where some components are not fully functioning. In sleep mode, the action sensor watches for a wake-up event at a slower rate (second data sensing frequency, slower or same as the first) using very little power (weak current, less than normal). The weak current used in sleep mode is greater than zero, but no more than 50% of the normal current used in normal operation. Specifically, the weak current is between 20% and 40% of the normal current.
4. The event detection method of claim 1 , wherein the step of entering into a sleep mode is triggered manually or automatically.
The event detection method where a portable electronic device wakes up using an action sensor includes: In normal operation, the action sensor detects events at a fast rate (first data sensing frequency) using a normal amount of power (normal current). The device enters a low-power sleep mode where some components are not fully functioning. In sleep mode, the action sensor watches for a wake-up event at a slower rate (second data sensing frequency, slower or same as the first) using very little power (weak current, less than normal). Upon detecting a wake-up event, the device returns to normal operation. The transition to sleep mode can be triggered either by the user or automatically by the system.
5. The event detection method of claim 1 , wherein the first data sensing frequency ranges between 80˜120 Hz and the second data sensing frequency ranges between 20˜60 Hz.
The event detection method where a portable electronic device wakes up using an action sensor includes: In normal operation, the action sensor detects events at a fast rate (first data sensing frequency) using a normal amount of power (normal current). The device enters a low-power sleep mode where some components are not fully functioning. In sleep mode, the action sensor watches for a wake-up event at a slower rate (second data sensing frequency, slower or same as the first) using very little power (weak current, less than normal). Upon detecting a wake-up event, the device returns to normal operation. Specifically, the first data sensing frequency is between 80 and 120 Hz, and the second data sensing frequency is between 20 and 60 Hz.
6. An action sensor for use in a portable electronic device, comprising: a clock circuit for providing a first data sensing frequency under a normal operation mode and a second data sensing frequency under a sleep mode, wherein the second data sensing frequency is not higher than the first data sensing frequency, and wherein in the sleep mode, at least one component of the portable electronic device is not fully functioning to reduce power consumption; a current generation circuit for supplying a normal current under the normal operation mode and supplying a weak current under the sleep mode, wherein the weak current is smaller than the normal current; an event detection circuit coupled to the clock circuit and the current generation circuit, for sensing action events with the first data sensing frequency under the normal operation mode and detecting a wake-up event with the second data sensing frequency under the sleep mode, wherein the event detection circuit operates by the normal current to detect the action events under the normal operation mode, and wherein the event detection circuit operates by the weak current to detect the wake-up event under the sleep mode; and a sleep mode controller coupled to the clock circuit and the current generation circuit, for providing a mode switching signal to the clock circuit and to the current generation circuit, to switch a data sensing frequency of the clock circuit between the first and second data sensing frequencies and to switch a current provided by the current generation circuit between the normal current and the weak current; wherein the action sensor generates an output signal for resuming the portable electronic device to the normal operation mode when the wake-up event is detected by the event detection circuit.
An action sensor for a portable electronic device includes a clock, a current generator, an event detection circuit, and a sleep mode controller. The clock provides a fast data sensing frequency in normal mode and a slower frequency in sleep mode (where some components are not fully functioning to reduce power). The current generator supplies a normal current in normal mode and a weak current in sleep mode. The event detection circuit senses actions at the fast rate using the normal current in normal mode, and detects wake-up events at the slower rate using the weak current in sleep mode. The sleep mode controller tells the clock and current generator when to switch between normal and sleep modes. The sensor sends a signal to wake up the device when a wake-up event is detected.
7. The action sensor of claim 6 , wherein the weak current is greater than zero and smaller than or equal to 50% of the normal current.
An action sensor for a portable electronic device includes a clock, a current generator, an event detection circuit, and a sleep mode controller. The clock provides a fast data sensing frequency in normal mode and a slower frequency in sleep mode (where some components are not fully functioning to reduce power). The current generator supplies a normal current in normal mode and a weak current in sleep mode. The event detection circuit senses actions at the fast rate using the normal current in normal mode, and detects wake-up events at the slower rate using the weak current in sleep mode. The sleep mode controller tells the clock and current generator when to switch between normal and sleep modes. The sensor sends a signal to wake up the device when a wake-up event is detected. Specifically, the weak current used in sleep mode is greater than zero, but no more than 50% of the normal current used in normal operation.
8. The action sensor of claim 7 , wherein the weak current is 20%˜40% of the normal current.
An action sensor for a portable electronic device includes a clock, a current generator, an event detection circuit, and a sleep mode controller. The clock provides a fast data sensing frequency in normal mode and a slower frequency in sleep mode (where some components are not fully functioning to reduce power). The current generator supplies a normal current in normal mode and a weak current in sleep mode. The event detection circuit senses actions at the fast rate using the normal current in normal mode, and detects wake-up events at the slower rate using the weak current in sleep mode. The sleep mode controller tells the clock and current generator when to switch between normal and sleep modes. The sensor sends a signal to wake up the device when a wake-up event is detected. Specifically, the weak current is greater than zero, but no more than 50% of the normal current. More specifically, the weak current is 20% to 40% of the normal current.
9. The action sensor of claim 6 , wherein the first data sensing frequency ranges between 80˜120 Hz and the second data sensing frequency ranges between 20˜60 Hz.
An action sensor for a portable electronic device includes a clock, a current generator, an event detection circuit, and a sleep mode controller. The clock provides a fast data sensing frequency in normal mode and a slower frequency in sleep mode (where some components are not fully functioning to reduce power). The current generator supplies a normal current in normal mode and a weak current in sleep mode. The event detection circuit senses actions at the fast rate using the normal current in normal mode, and detects wake-up events at the slower rate using the weak current in sleep mode. The sleep mode controller tells the clock and current generator when to switch between normal and sleep modes. The sensor sends a signal to wake up the device when a wake-up event is detected. Specifically, the first data sensing frequency is between 80 and 120 Hz, and the second data sensing frequency is between 20 and 60 Hz.
10. An action sensor for use in a portable electronic device, comprising: a clock circuit for providing a first data sensing frequency under a normal operation mode and a second data sensing frequency under a sleep mode, wherein the second data sensing frequency is not higher than the first data sensing frequency, and wherein in the sleep mode, at least one component of the portable electronic device is not fully functioning to reduce power consumption; a current generation circuit for supplying a normal current under the normal operation mode and supplying a weak current under the sleep mode, wherein the weak current is smaller than the normal current; and an event detection circuit coupled to the clock circuit and the current generation circuit, for sensing action events with the first data sensing frequency under the normal operation mode and detecting a wake-up event with the second data sensing frequency under the sleep mode, wherein the event detection circuit operates by the normal current to detect the action events under the normal operation mode, and wherein the event detection circuit operates by the weak current to detect the wake-up event under the sleep mode; wherein the action sensor is a capacitive sensor sensing the action events and detecting the wake-up event according to a change of capacitance; wherein a sensitivity of the capacitive sensor is related to an operation current of the capacitive sensor, and when the capacitive sensor operates by the weak current, the sensitivity of the capacitive sensor is lower than the sensitivity when the capacitive sensor operates by the normal current; wherein the action sensor generates an output signal for resuming the portable electronic device to the normal operation mode when the wake-up event is detected by the event detection circuit.
An action sensor for a portable electronic device includes a clock, a current generator, and an event detection circuit. The clock provides a fast data sensing frequency in normal mode and a slower frequency in sleep mode (where some components are not fully functioning to reduce power). The current generator supplies a normal current in normal mode and a weak current in sleep mode. The event detection circuit senses actions at the fast rate using the normal current in normal mode, and detects wake-up events at the slower rate using the weak current in sleep mode. The sensor is a capacitive sensor that detects actions/wake-up events by sensing capacitance changes. The sensor's sensitivity decreases in low-power mode. The sensor sends a signal to wake up the device when a wake-up event is detected.
11. The action sensor of claim 10 , wherein the weak current is greater than zero and smaller than or equal to 50% of the normal current.
An action sensor for a portable electronic device includes a clock, a current generator, and an event detection circuit. The clock provides a fast data sensing frequency in normal mode and a slower frequency in sleep mode (where some components are not fully functioning to reduce power). The current generator supplies a normal current in normal mode and a weak current in sleep mode. The event detection circuit senses actions at the fast rate using the normal current in normal mode, and detects wake-up events at the slower rate using the weak current in sleep mode. The action sensor is a capacitive sensor that detects actions/wake-up events by sensing capacitance changes and whose sensitivity decreases in low-power mode. The sensor sends a signal to wake up the device when a wake-up event is detected. Specifically, the weak current is greater than zero, but no more than 50% of the normal current.
12. The action sensor of claim 10 , wherein the weak current is 20%-40% of the normal current.
An action sensor for a portable electronic device includes a clock, a current generator, and an event detection circuit. The clock provides a fast data sensing frequency in normal mode and a slower frequency in sleep mode (where some components are not fully functioning to reduce power). The current generator supplies a normal current in normal mode and a weak current in sleep mode. The event detection circuit senses actions at the fast rate using the normal current in normal mode, and detects wake-up events at the slower rate using the weak current in sleep mode. The action sensor is a capacitive sensor that detects actions/wake-up events by sensing capacitance changes and whose sensitivity decreases in low-power mode. The sensor sends a signal to wake up the device when a wake-up event is detected. Specifically, the weak current is 20% to 40% of the normal current.
13. The action sensor of claim 10 , wherein the first data sensing frequency ranges between 80˜120 Hz and the second data sensing frequency ranges between 20˜60 Hz.
An action sensor for a portable electronic device includes a clock, a current generator, and an event detection circuit. The clock provides a fast data sensing frequency in normal mode and a slower frequency in sleep mode (where some components are not fully functioning to reduce power). The current generator supplies a normal current in normal mode and a weak current in sleep mode. The event detection circuit senses actions at the fast rate using the normal current in normal mode, and detects wake-up events at the slower rate using the weak current in sleep mode. The action sensor is a capacitive sensor that detects actions/wake-up events by sensing capacitance changes and whose sensitivity decreases in low-power mode. The sensor sends a signal to wake up the device when a wake-up event is detected. Specifically, the first data sensing frequency is between 80 and 120 Hz, and the second data sensing frequency is between 20 and 60 Hz.
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October 16, 2015
June 20, 2017
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